There is a Christian art of enduring pain, which we should seek to learn. The real goal is not just to endure the suffering which falls into our life; to bear it bravely, without wincing; to pass through it patiently, even rejoicingly. Pain has a higher mission toward us than just to teach us heroism. We should endure it in such a way as to get genuine and lasting spiritual blessing out of it.
Pain brings to us some message from our sovereign and loving Heavenly Father, which we should not fail to hear. It lifts for us the veil which hides God's face, and we should get some new glimpses of His beauty, every time we are called to suffer.
Pain is furnace-fire, and we should always come out of this furnace, with the gold of our graces gleaming a little more brightly. Every experience of suffering ought in some way--to lift us nearer God, to make us more gentle and loving, and to leave the image of Christ shining a little clearer in our lives.
- Anonymous
Monday, July 28, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Usefulness
Like some books, some tools, and some furniture, the non-Christian is useless to God, as was Onesimus, Philemm 1:11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.
In Christ, it is such a privilege, such a blessing to be useful in any way, Heb 6:7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God. Like the soldier, the ballplayer, or the son, it is such a privilege to be sendable in the kingdom of God. Do you feel it? Isaiah did, Isa 6:8 Then said I, Here am I; send me. What words of honor are spoken of Mark, 2Ti 4:11 Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
In the physical realm, usefulness depends on qualifications. So it is also in the spiritual. Here is a great promise, but there are conditions, 2Ti 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Take the weeds out of your patch and you will be more useful. Improve your serve and you won't be so much on the bench. Get up and you will find the father has plenty of work that could be done. Strengthen yourself and you will be given heavier work and greater privileges – labors that are not in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor 15.58.
- Bob Jennings
In Christ, it is such a privilege, such a blessing to be useful in any way, Heb 6:7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God. Like the soldier, the ballplayer, or the son, it is such a privilege to be sendable in the kingdom of God. Do you feel it? Isaiah did, Isa 6:8 Then said I, Here am I; send me. What words of honor are spoken of Mark, 2Ti 4:11 Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
In the physical realm, usefulness depends on qualifications. So it is also in the spiritual. Here is a great promise, but there are conditions, 2Ti 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Take the weeds out of your patch and you will be more useful. Improve your serve and you won't be so much on the bench. Get up and you will find the father has plenty of work that could be done. Strengthen yourself and you will be given heavier work and greater privileges – labors that are not in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor 15.58.
- Bob Jennings
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